@boosbuzzsabres
In addition to the Buffalo Sabres sitting atop the NHL with 34 points on 16-6-2 record, there's a nice symmetry to their present nine-game winning streak as they've won three in regulation, three in overtime and three in the shootout. In addition to that, and in a tribute to their depth and overall team play, nine different Buffalo players have scored the game-winning/game-deciding goal during the streak.
Last night in Detroit it was Sam Reinhart's turn. However, it almost never happened as his giveaway in the neutral zone with only :17 seconds left in overtime led to a golden opportunity for the Red Wings that was snuffed out by the quick glove-hand of Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark. After the whistle one could see Reinhart in a gesture of thanks then saying some words that might have included, "I owe you one."
Seven rounds into the shootout both goalies had allowed one goal each and Reinhart paid Ullmark back as he roofed a nifty backhand from in tight past Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard for the 3-2 shootout win. This call from Sabres play-by-play man Dan Dunleavy said it all, "Say hello to your first place Buffalo Sabres."
Prior to this winning streak Buffalo sat fifth in the Atlantic division with a 7-6-2 record good for 16 points and had just come off of a 3-1 loss in New York where they were stonewalled by Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist. All-in-all their place in the standings at the time wasn't bad considering where they came from the prior year and the difficulties they had coming out of the gate this year.
What followed that game in NY is a remarkable run that features resiliency, clutch scoring and contributions from every player on the team, including game-winning/deciding goals from:
--defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen in a 6-5 overtime win at Montreal
--a game-deciding goal in the third round of the shootout vs. Vancouver by rookie Casey Mittelstadt
--Kyle Okposo's game-winner at 5:43 in the second period of a 2-1 win over Tampa
--Conor Sheary's shootout winner in the seventh round of a 2-1 win at Winnipeg
--Jason Pominville's goal at the 18:30 mark of the third in a 3-2 win at Minnesota
--Jack Eichel's overtime winner in a 5-4 win at Pittsburgh
--Evan Rodrigues with the winner at 8:55 of the first period in a 5-2 win vs. Philadelphia
--Jeff Skinner's overtime winner vs. Montreal in a 3-2 win
--Reinhart's shootout winner last night at Detroit
Although Skinner and Eichel have been the driving forces up front for Buffalo, with the former scoring nine goals during this nine-game win streak and the latter adding a goal and 10 assists, there have been contributions from up and down the lineup. In Montreal it was secondary scoring from Vladimir Sobotka and his line. Against Vancouver it was Reinhart setting up Skinner then potting the game-tying goal all with less than three minutes remaining in the third period. In Minnesota it was defensemen Jake McCabe and Rasmus Dahlin pulling the Sabres out of a two-goal deficit and against Philadelphia it was a blitzkrieg of secondary scoring from Tage Thompson, Evan Rodrigues and Johan Larsson that helped stake Buffalo to a 4-0 lead after 20 minutes.
Thompson has been on a roll lately with a three-game goal-streak and credit should be given to head coach Phil Housley for sticking with him. The 21 yr. old winger who was acquired in the Ryan O'Reilly trade with the St. Louis Blues, looked out of place early in the season and calls were going out (including here) for Thompson to be sent to Rochester. He was a healthy scratch for seven games this season and didn't seem to be making any progress but the Sabres kept him in Buffalo during that stretch and the coaching staff worked with him. To his credit, Thompson didn't sulk but has been extremely receptive during this process. Through their patience with him and the progress we've seen from him, we're starting to see why the 6'6" 205 lb. former UConn Huskie was a first round pick (2016, 26th-overall) for the Blues.
Thompson can skate well for a man his size, has the wingspan of a condor, has excellent stickwork and also has a great shot which was on display last night as he blasted this one in with Buffalo on the powerplay to put the Sabres up 2-1:
(via NHL.com)
According to Thompson afterward, that cannon was fueled by anger. He told the gathered media that he took a high stick 10-15 seconds prior to the goal and that he was "pretty mad."
"I just put all my weight into it," he said.
If that wasn't enough, Thompson saved the game last night as he entered the shootout with the Sabres needing a score to extend the session. My, oh my...
(via NHL.com)
The cool part about that shootout goal is that he was locked into the session saying that he watched the players before him to see what was (or ultimately, what wasn't) working. "I saw the first few guys go in there," he said, "they were going in shooting so I figured I'd mix it up and try and deke and (pauses for a second,) I think he wasn't ready for it."
One thing we can't talk enough about during this stretch, and for most of the season thus far, has been Buffalo's goaltending. Although the numbers won't wow anyone (2.75 team goals-against average and .913 save percentage prior to last night,) they are making saves when needed and are covering up for a number of gaffes on a nightly basis.
Starting goalie Carter Hutton has been leading the way in that department and Ullmark is certainly following his lead. Last night Ullmark stopped a two-on-one from in-tight in the first period, a breakaway in the second period, bailed out captain Eichel's egregious turnover by stopping a breakaway in the third period, stopped that shot off of Reinhart's turnover in overtime and stopped six of seven Detroit shootout attempts. Plus he really had to be on his toes in the first period when the puck took a weird bounce and angled towards the net on a Detroit clear-in (see highlights below.)
Ullmark is now 5-0-1 on the season with a 2.52 GAA and .926 Sv%.
With both the Nashville Predators and Tampa Bay Lightning off yesterday the Sabres sit atop the NHL standings. It's a good morning Western New York.
Game highlights (via NHL.com)
Just for fun and because he has such an affable personality, Ullmark's post-game interview (via NHL.com)
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